It appears National Security Advisor whistleblower Edward Snowden wants to come home to the United States. After over a year in hiding in the Russian capital, Moscow, Snowden says in a interview he would be willing to do prison time if he were allowed to return to his native country. The latest comes as his visa in Russia has run out and his status remains in limbo.
The NSA has demanded Snowden's extradition back to the U.S. over his involvement in the leaking of classified American government documents that revealed a massive surveillance operation by the NSA.
Snowden, speaking to Wired, says he is ready to return home and face prison "for the right purpose."
"I told the government I'd volunteer for prison, as long as it served the right purpose," said Snowden. "But we can't allow the law to become a political weapon or agree to scare people away from standing up for their rights, no matter how good the deal. I'm not going to be part of that."
An NSA spokesperson responded that Snowden must be committed to the U.S. Justice Department in order to make that happen.
"If Mr. Snowden wants to discuss his activities, that conversation should be held with the U.S. Department of Justice. He needs to return to the United States to face the charges against him," states a report.
Snowden has not kept quiet during his time in Russia, continuing to lash out at the NSA as well as other international players, including Russia. In a national television appearance, Snowden questioned Russian President Vladimir Putin over surveillance of his country's citizens.
The program was paused momentarily as the presenter of Putin's call-in show received what was described as a "sensational video" for the brash leader. It was Snowden on the image. And he was giving what appeared to be a pseudo lecture to Putin over his use of surveillance. Putin gave little emotional response, and looked as if he were expecting the man on the screen, Tech Times reports.
Even as much of the American public questions the tactics by the NSA and a number of privacy groups have urged for massive reform, Snowden remains a controversial figure, with many Americans believing him to be a hero for the underserved, while others call him a traitor and want him jailed.
